Well, what can I say?

Dilbertism

The credit for this post should go to a friend who said something a colleague and I were doing one afternoon was so much like Dilbert!

My colleague sent me a mail, "Let me know when you are done." The reason for this mail was the constant busy tone on my phone.

Two people - working in the same facility - one on the 4th floor and another on the 6th floor. Either of us could have walked up to the other's desk and asked!

I like Dilbert, but didn't realize I was being so drawn into Dilbertism myself!

Pizza Pleasure

Every Saturday, I get into the process of sorting mail received during the week. From invitations to attend my mother's cousin's grandson's wedding or a second cousin's daughter's engagement or fliers announcing 50% off (conditions apply!) sale at a store. Today, I saw a pizza menu amidst these. Rani - my maid, exclaimed, "Akka! Isn't this the stuff they show on television? I have never eaten a pisa." Akka is the Tamil word for older sister. And, pizza was called pisa, not peet-za.

Just to put that smile on her face, I went ahead and called the pizza store and ordered for a thin crust pisa with vegetable toppings. When the peesa delivery boy rang the door bell, Rani jumped, "Akka! The pisa is here. Can I open the door?" She stepped back, "What if he speaks English? I wouldn't know what to tell him. So, you go and open the door."

Her ear-to-ear smile led her to the kitchen to fetch a plate so she can eat her pisa. Her curiosity prodded her to ask what Oregano seasoning and Chilli flakes are. I got into a translation mode trying to explain the vernacular equivalents of these ingredients. "Why can't they put this into the pisa? I don't want to sprinkle these on the pisa!" she complained.

As she was biting into her pisa piece after piece, I noticed a waning of the initial enthusiasm. "Akka! This is plain flour! There is no taste, no spice in the vegetables like the curry we make. You paid 300 rupees for nothing but flour and vegetables!"

Here I was, elated that I contributed my mite to her first pisa-eating experience. My funda of the joy of giving, and her broad grin on seeing the pisa melted away like the cheese on something that was just flour and vegetables with no spice!

A Thousand Splendid Suns

It has been about 3 months since I read this book. What amazes me is the profound impact it has created. Khaled Hosseini in this second book he has written, has gone on to prove again that story-telling is an art that most people desire to acquire, some put in their efforts, and very few manage to master. I would definitely put Hosseini in the last category - no two ways about it.

A friend lent me the book, and when I was going to return it, I was asked to keep it! And, that indeed was a pleasant surprise.

One could not count the moons that shimmer on her roofs,
Or the thousand splendid suns that hide behind her walls

A beautiful and intrinsic poetic expression by Saib-e-Tabrizi about Kabul, where the story is set.

Enough and more has been written in the reviews floating across cyberspace. Let me share what impressed me most about this book.

Keeping the reader engaged - As I was reading this book, I realized that I simply wouldn't want to put the book down. The narration of events as they unfolded, the incidents shaping the lives of the characters, a visual walkthrough into history, and the occasional intersperse of couplets from poetry leads this book to a place of pride in my library.

Depicting a woman's fortitude - Living the lives of Mariam and Laila, the main characters of this book, is not easy by any shred of imagination. They manage to find their niche amidst life in a highly patriarchal society. Their "can do, will do" attitude in spite of all odds reinforces the deep courage and resolve we notice and sometimes fail to notice in the women that surround us in our everyday lives.

Interspersing with poetry - Reading those profound couplets scattered in a few places across the book, excited me no end. Anyone that has an inclination for poetry or appreciates poetry would find this a treat. Well, it led me look for and read more poems by Tabrizi.

Sit back, relax, and enjoy reading this book as it transports you to a region that was once part of Mahabharat - the great Indian epic!

Aadi 18

Yesterday was Aadi 18. So what does that mean? Aadi is the fourth month of the Hindu solar almanac followed by most Tamilians.

When I wound up my weekly 1x1 call with my manager, I let him know I was visiting my mother to seek her blessings on Aadi 18. And, then I ended up explaining the funda!

Of course, much of this funda is gyaan handed over by my dad, and grandma. I believe this is a special day because the river Cauvery rises 18 steps to form a brimming garland in Srirangam, the abode of Lord Ranganatha. It is a kind of thanksgiving to nature for the abundance of water that would ensure a good winter crop and harvest.

And, I believe families go to the river side, offer prayers and offering of coconut, fruit, flowers, etc to the river. This is followed by a meal of flavored rice preparations such as coconut rice, lemon rice, and of course curd rice (the famous thayir saadham!)

I wish I could have convinced a few friends to drive to the river side, about 100 kms away and enjoyed the feast in the traditional manner. Here I was in office, doing an evaluation, attending calls, and responding to emails. My mind was wandering through the greenery, the white clear foam left by the river water rushing amidst rocks,....

Hmm....work it is that wins!!!!

A poem I'd like to live by...

Max Ehrmann

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.